All Vaccines to come under DPCO- Draft Vaccine Policy India

The government of India has drafted a comprehensive national vaccine policy that proposes to bring all types of vaccines under the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO) and targets at enabling rational and evidence-based decisions for the development, entry, production, stable supply, pricing, promotion and use of appropriate vaccines on scientific grounds.

According to the draft national vaccine policy, the public sector would be the sole manufacturer of key vaccines so that stable and affordable supply of vaccines for the national immunization programme can be ensured. This will also be helpful in managing national health security and biosecurity concerns. Therefore, all essential vaccines covered under UIP (TT, DT, DTP, BCG, polio, measles) would continue to be produced by....read more

Pharmacovigilence programme to start on July 1 with 10 medical colleges in 1st phase

The much awaited national pharmacovigilance programme of India is expected to begin in 10 medical colleges across the country from July 1 this year. The first phase of the programme will be launched in 10 of the 300 medical colleges in the country and the DCGI plans to further extend it to 40 other colleges by next year and 60 the next. DCGI said that by 2014, all the 300 medical colleges will be participating in the national pharmacovigilence programme.

Know what is Pharmacovigilance?

The programme will be run in three units that comprises of the medical colleges, other institutes and CDSCO. AIIMS will act as the main centre for the national pharmacovigilence programme, whereas the CDSCO will be providing funds, manpower, training etc to the AIIMS and other institutes involved in this programme.

The national level pharmacovigilence programme will have a two pronged approach and will be targeted for five years initially. In the budgetary provisions the pharmacovigilence programme was granted with Rs 85 lakh against the expectation of Rs 1.5 crore.

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Treating Yeast Infections in Infants

Yeast infection in infants is a tricky condition and parents should definitely pay attention towards treating yeast infection in infants as soon as they find it out. Parents can easily recognize yeast infections through its symptoms like oral thrush (white patches in the mouth), painful, bumpy, red diaper rashes among others. First of all, it is very important to avoid the causes of yeast infection in infants. To do so, one must know what are the causes of yeast infection in children?

Causes of Infections in Infants

There are varied situations and factors that can cause your infant to catch yeast infection.

• Yeast infection through infected mother at the time of delivery.
• Antibiotics Intake
• Not keeping the vaginal area of female infants clean.
• Overused unchanged diaper.
• Inappropriate bathing of child with harsh soaps.

Internal Yeast Infections in Infants

Sometimes parents use OTC drugs to treat yeast infections in their infants. This generally treats the symptoms of yeast infections. However, sometimes internal yeast infection remains there and causes frequent recurrence of infections. Internal yeast infections can result into whitish stools, diarrhea, etc. Infact, yeast is always present along with beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract. Both of them keep each other in balance. Problem begins when yeast overgrows and results into yeast infection. Treating the symptoms will grant temporary relief and it is essential to treat the underlying imbalance between the intestinal yeast and bacteria in order to prevent recurring infection. Anti fungal drugs- pills, creams, suppositories, topical sprays, and oral liquid solutions can cure yeast infections in adults but treating yeast infection in infants need much more than that.

How to Treat Yeast Infections in Infants

Take following steps to treat yeast infections in infant.

• Always keep the baby clean. Change wet and dirty diapers immediately as moist environment leads to growth of yeast.
• Do not use baby wipes on a yeast diaper rash- they feed the yeast. Instead rinse the diaper area with 1 tbsp white vinegar added to a cup of water.
• For treating yeast diaper rash, get an over-the-counter anti-fungal cream that contains clotrimazole or miconazole or get some anti fungal drug prescribed by a paediatrician.
• If you see thrush in your baby's mouth, go for oral medication. The anti fungal Nystatin liquid is generally prescribed to treat thrush. However, before administering any medicine, consult your doctor.
• Do not give too much sugar and refined carbohydrate if your baby has started taking solid food because they feed yeast.
• Give the baby meats, vegetables, unsweetened fruits and plain, unsweetened yogurt.
• If yours is a breast feeding baby, treatment for yeast infection should be given to both- mother and child- even if mother has no symptoms.
• Continue treating yeast infection in your infant by taking all the above precautions for 2 weeks even after symptoms are gone so that there is no chance of getting yeast infection again.